The dress has always been a popular garment for women throughout the ages. The dress has developed and evolved with differing styles and hemlines. In the 1920’s the dress was usually referred to as ‘flapper’ clothing, loosened waistline, often backless and usually knee length. In the 1930’s the dress was elegant and sophisticated. In the 1940’s the dress evolved into a more utility style, more conservative. In the 1950’s the trend was reversed and the dress shapes were curvier with wasp waists and wide skirts over many underskirts. In the 1960’s dresses were influenced by musical tastes and also the hippie style was worn.
1920’s
There were radical changes to women’s clothing in the 1920’s as hems rose, waistlines dropped, corsets were no longer used and elaborate beading was introduced.
The 1920’s dresses were influenced heavily by many different art movements of the eras, most notably Art Deco. The dresses used vibrant colours, exotic motifs and new luxurious fabrics.
1930’s
In the 1930’s women wanted more elegant and sophisticated clothing, giving a more ladylike appearance. Dresses were feminine and tidy by day with a return to real glamour at night.
The dresses of the 1930’s highlighted the more feminine silhouette, which emphasised the natural form of the woman s body. Bosom, waistline, and hips were clearly defined by the shape of the dress. The waistline returned to its natural position.
1940’s
Due to the war, 1940’s clothing was rationed and regulated, but women still interested in what they wore, put extra effort into pushing fashion boundaries.
Dresses worn in the 1940’s were practical; they were usually simple knee length dresses. New clothes were often re invented from old clothes as there was a shortage of materials.
1950’s
During the 1950’s there were developments of man made fibres and more efficient factory production methods, which created an increase in ready to wear outfits that were affordable. Copies of latest trends from the fashion houses of Paris and London were now available to everyone.
The shape of the clothing in the 1950’s was curvy and very feminine with wasp waists and wide skirts over many underskirts which were influenced by Rock n roll. The sac dress, the sheath dress, the A line and the H line all made a brief appearance on the fashion stage.
1960’s
In the 1960’s there was a major change throughout the fashion world. Fashion was no longer aimed at wealthy, mature people, but the preferences of the younger generation now became important.
Clothes were transformed by new ideas from the London pop scene. Musical tastes and styles of dress were linked and the mod look first popularised simple geometric shapes.
Later in the 1960’s the hippy look was very popular, often a young middle class person in favour of colourful flowing clothes, peace and free love. It was at this time that designers of dress experimented with colours, patterns and textures taken from non Western cultures.
There was a brief but spectacular Sixties sensation of paper dresses. These dresses were cheap and disposable and their simple 2 D shape was ideal for the bold graphic prints.
In the 1960’s also saw the introduction of the mini skirt a very short thigh length skirt.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")